Canadian Literature for Children and Young Adults: Courage

Showing posts with label Courage. Show all posts

Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel

Title: Silverwing

Author: Kenneth Oppel

Publish Date: September 2007

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Pages: 224pp

IBSN: 1416949984

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Annotation: Shade is a young bat who get’s left behind when his family migrates for the winter. On his journey to rejoin the colony, he meets new friends, discovers enemies, and all the

Plot Summary: A young bat named Shade decides he wants to prove his bravery by catching a glimpse of the sun. In doing so, he breaks an ancient law and the owls retaliate and burn down their roost, forcing the bats to begin their migration. Shade gets caught in a storm and is left behind by his colony during the migration. Full of customs, the imminent war between the bats and birds, and the escapee vampire bat, provides a challenging journey for Shade to return back with his colony.

Personal Response: Love the animal adventure Kenneth Oppel takes his readers on. Sliverwing is an exciting story with dramatic suspense and a thrilling plot and is not a typical fantasy story as the main character is a bat. The ending of the novel leads the reader to the next installment, Sunwing.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Making your own way and facing your fears.

Age Range: 8 and up

Subjects: Betrayal, Friendship, Fear, Friendship, Enemies, Adventure, Fantasy, Family, Family Relationships, Bullying, Courage

Series: The Silverwing Saga

Silverwing (1997)

Sunwing (1999)

Firewing(2002)

Darkwing (2007)

Similar Titles:

Sunwing by Kenneth Oppel

The Capture by Kathryn Lasky

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

Different Dragons by Jean Little

Title: Different Dragons

Author: Jean Little

Publish Date: May 2007

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

Pages: 112pp

IBSN: 0143312308

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Annotation: Timid Ben faces many challenges on his first stay away from home without his family. He confronts his fears and becomes friends with a Labrador Retriever named Gully.

Plot Summary: Ben is not looking forward to his stay with his Aunt Rose while his family goes away. During this stay, Ben will have to sleep alone, deal with the bossy girl next door, live through a thunderstorm, and deal with his fear of big dogs, all by himself. Aunt Rose had meant the big dog, Gully a Labrador Retriever, as a gift but Ben doesn’t like this gift, he is scared of the big dog. Then, a thunderstorm hits and Ben and Gully survive together underneath the bed. This begins a beautiful bond.

Personal Response: A simplistic plot with a sweet message about overcoming your fears and finding the courage that lays within. I especially liked the bond Ben makes with Gully, very sincere and touching. I think this is a good story for younger children who are experiencing fears. As adults we so easily forget what it is like to be little with fears—the world can be scary place.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Overcoming fears.

Age Range: 8 to 12

Subjects: Dogs, Fear, Thunderstorms, Family, Family Relationships, Friendship, Courage, Realistic Fiction

Similar Titles:

Stand in the Wind by Jean Little

Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler

Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

Title: Paper Bag Princess

Author: Robert Munsch

Illustrator: Michael Martchenjo

Publish Date: February 1992

Publisher: Annick Press, Limited

Pages: 32pp

IBSN: 0920236162

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Picture Book

Annotation: A prince is kidnapped by a dangerous dragon who happened to burn up all the clothes in the palace with his dragon breath. The princess finds a paper bag to wear as she sets out to save the prince.

Plot Summary: A young princess goes off to rescue the young prince (whom she loves and hopes to marry) after a dangerous dragon has taken him captive and burned all the clothes in the palace. The princess decides she will wear a paper bag to go save the prince. She tricks the dragon and enters the cave where the prince is being held. When the prince sees her, he tells her how poorly she is dressed. Her retort is that he is a fine and handsome prince, but completely useless and in the end they do not end up together.

Personal Response: I really appreciated the theme of this story as it allows girls (from a young age) to see that if a man does not treat you the right way, you do not have to be with him (very empowering). Along with this running theme is lots of humor and a fluid style of writing that is both accessible to children and adults. I really enjoyed this book!

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Empowering girls—you don’t have to be with someone that doesn’t treat you well.

Age Range: 4-8

Subjects: Girl Power, Princess, Humor, Courage, Fantasy

Similar Titles:

Princess Ben by Catherine Murdock

Aaron’s Hair by Robert Munsch

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

The Secret Under My Skin by Janet McNaughton

Title: The Secret Under My Skin

Author: Janet McNaughton

Publish Date: 2000

Publisher: HarperCollin Children’s Books

Pages: 262pp

ISBN: 006008989X

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Science Fiction

Annotation: It is the year 2368, and Blay Raytee, a government work-camp orphan who has no birthday, no real name, and almost no memories. In fact, her future seems as glum as her past. Until she is selected to help a powerful young bio-indicator, in which sets Blay on a path of discovery.

Plot Summary: The world has just suffered from a technocaust that has left a generation of orphans. Blay Raytee, one of those orphans, is chosen for a special mission to help a powerful young bio-indicator name Marrella. This sets Blay into a world of discovery as she is finding out that all may not be what it seems. The secrets she uncovers may be the elements to help restore her past and the human race.

Personal Response: A compelling story about a possible future. Janet McNaughton warns people that too much technology can have a dangerous and devastating affect on the human race.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Things are always as they seem. You have the power to change them and/or help people. Too much technology is not necessarily a good thing.

Age Range: 13 and up

Subjects: Identity, Bravery, Courage, Orphan, Confidence, Acceptance, Government, Humanity, Dsytopia, Post Apocalyptic,

Similar Titles

Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel

The Convicts by Ian Lawrence

The Speed of Light by Elizabeth Rosner

The Watcher by Margaret Buffie

Title: The Watcher

Author: Margaret Buffie

Publish Date: September 1, 2000

Publisher: Kids Can Press

Pages: 264pp

ISBN: 1550748319

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Annotation: Emma is set apart from the rest of her dark-haired family with exotic white hair and skin. She senses an intense emotion to protect her little sister Summer, who is prone to weakness. Suddenly, the world Emma has always known isn’t the world she thought it was, rather a Game.

Plot Summary: The first book of the Watcher’s Quest trilogy introduces Emma suspenseful tale about a girl, Emma, and her little sister, Summer. To begin with, Emma is nothing like the rest of her family, in fact she doesn’t even look like them as they all have dark features and Emma bears pale skin and hair. Emma is concerned about her little sister Summer as she has been passing out and getting weaker and weaker. Emma does not trust her mother, a new-age, bee-keeper or her impractical environmental artist father to keep Summer safe. Through dreams, Emma finds herself between two worlds and comes to find out that what she thought was reality is really just a Game. Upon finding this out, she learns what her role is in this Game and

Personal Response: A suspenseful tale with a strong storyline about identity, courage, and sisterhood. I thought the whole changeling element was interesting as Emma, a great character by the way (very relatable), felt so much need to protect her family. I found this to be a fantastical read! The open ending was a little difficult but luckily the next book was available at the library.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: The bond of sisterhood

Age Range: 12 and up

Subjects: Magic, Other Worlds, Outcast, Supernatural, Identity, Sisters, Games, Myth, Changeling, Courage